An implant-retained maxillary overdenture to obturate a patent oronasal communication: a case report

This is a case report of dental prosthetic treatment of a 72-year-old patient with cleft palate with a persisting oral nasal communication in the anterior hard palate. The remaining teeth were extracted, and dental implants were surgically placed in the maxilla and mandible to retain removable overdentures. The maxillary complete overdenture had full palatal coverage as opposed to partial coverage. It was retained by 5 implants with low-profile light retentive retainers. The mandibular overdenture was retained with 4 implants of different diameters and brands. Apparent parameters for successful treatment of a removable maxillary overdenture are as follows: denture flanges, flat or lingualized occlusal scheme, light low-profile retainer retention, maximum implant positional spread with parallel placement, and a minimum of 4 rough-surfaced, long, wide implants placed in denser-type bone sites.